Scots lose place as world sevens host – official

IT WAS finally confirmed yesterday that Scotland has lost its place as a host nation in the HSBC World Sevens Series.

World Rugby announced the 2015-16 circuit and, as had been anticipated, Paris replaces Glasgow as the host city for the penultimate leg.

That means this year’s event at Scotstoun, which was won by Fiji, was the last Scottish-hosted tournament for some time after nine years in the home of the abbreviated game. Scottish Rugby made no comment yesterday.

Due to the knock-on funding implications of losing the event, there had been doubts about Scotland’s continuing presence on the elite full-time circuit. However, it was confirmed before this year’s final event in London that a Scottish team would carry on in some form in the premier series.

World Rugby announced a new four-year sponsorship deal with HSBC yesterday and revealed the ten-stop calendar for next season’s seven series. Japan, who are the 2019 Rugby World Cup hosts, have also lost their leg to Singapore, while Vancouver has been added to form a backto-back North American stage with Las Vegas.

The Australia-hosted event moves from Gold Coast to Sydney next season.

Commenting on the new schedule, World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper said: “Rugby sevens is experiencing record attendances, broadcast and commercial growth and is rapidly becoming a major driver of revenue for World Rugby to reinvest in the game.

“This schedule represents an exciting combination for World Rugby and one which we think will enable the sport to reach developing rugby markets, and therefore contribute to the continued growth of the game and its character-building values worldwide.

“It is great for players, great for fans and great for the ongoing prosperity and development of rugby sevens worldwide.”